“It wasn’t to get him down or hold him down,” Dricus Du Plessis discloses ‘key plans’ led to title win over Sean Strickland to UFC Commentator

Dricus Du Plessis details switch in strategy that ultimately led to his first title win at UFC 297.

“It wasn’t to get him down or hold him down,” Dricus Du Plessis discloses ‘key plans’ led to title win over Sean Strickland to UFC Commentator

Dricus Du Plessis has his first sitdown after defeating Sean Strickland (Source: Twitter/usatoday.com)

Dricus Du Plessis edged out Sean Strickland in way of a split decision, at UFC 297. The South African Phenom went on to win his first promotional title at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Amidst recent outcry on controversial scoring, ‘Stillknocks’ surprisingly learned top honcho Dana White believed Sean Strickland won the fight. Now, in a sitdown with commentator Jon Anik, the fighter delved into his title grudge match.

Du Plessis has been engaging in social media banter, making or snubbing callout-rants on the poor quality of the fight. But, the fighter appeared in his first interview since UFC 297. Despite White and color commentator Joe Rogan veering to Strickland, some peers have favored the African on wanting it more at the fight. Now, appearing on the ‘Anik and Florian‘ podcast#461 with Anik & Kenny Florian, here’s what he said on the same sentiment – 

[On switching strategies] And obviously my coach would shout to me when the round's about to end, to get that takedown...to either level the playing field or to make sure we tipped the round in our favor. So that was our plan...it wasn't necessarily to get him down or hold him down, it was to get a takedown, secure a position, get back up.
Dricus Du Plessis via Anik and Florian Podcast
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Concurrently, the fighter has earned the praise of UFC veterans Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier despite fumbling in the first round. Bisping, additionally credited Strickland’s dominant adherence to going behind the jab for the decision skid. Strickland recently got gibed as a jab spammer on account of his vivid bleeding imagery.

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Despite a prominent battle IQ, ‘Tarzan’ lost the square off. He was able to muddle through and win Round 5 on all three judges. But Du Plessis’ corner opting for a variable stance switch worked in his favor, as he told Anik. Additionally, Anik also had his insights on the scoring.

Jon Anik weighs in on Sean Strickland’s split decision loss strain

UFC commentator Jon Anik had a recent sitdown with new middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, after UFC 297. Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland, headlining the fight card, in way of a split decision. And consequently, Anik had some insights on that.

Jon Anik shares insights on split scoring at UFC 297
Jon Anik shares insights on split scoring at UFC 297 (Source: ESPN.com/espnpressroom.com/Twitter)

Judges Derek Cleary and Eric Colon scored the bout 48-47 in favor of Du Plessis. While on the other hand, Sal D’Amato veered towards a 48-47 for ‘Tarzan’.

And here’s what Anik had to say on the matter, taking to X:

Despite concluding the year’s first PPV affair with a change of title, the South African faced some heat from the fan base. Many heartbroken fight fans cried foul on such a controversial score.

Now, according to Anik, the running sentiment is that D’Amato was maligned for his previous choices; hence he overcorrected to veer towards Strickland. But notwithstanding the insight or the controversy, Du Plessis himself is off to a good start. Only time will tell what the year holds for the newly minted champion.

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